Planting season always comes with unpredictability and for Watertown, Wis., no-tiller Tony Peirick, this year has been no different so far. With heavy rain hitting much of the area in late April, Peirick’s initial planting got started a bit later than he would’ve hoped. But since early May, the problem has been the exact opposite. 

Peirick is No-Till Farmer’s 2026 Conservation Ag Operator Fellow, chosen for the honor due to his extensive experience with no-till and cover crops, his innovative approach to conservation practices and his inspiring leadership to help other farmers adopt no-till practices. 

He farms with his son, brother and nephew, at T&R Dairy Farm where the four of them oversee a 200-cow dairy operation, grow cash crops on 1,100 acres and provide custom fieldwork for other farmers. A long time no-till operation, Peirick has also been planting cover crops since the late ‘90s and now aims to “plant green” whenever possible.

Dry Spell

Peirick says almost all of his acres were planted in about two weeks time…